Air injector for internal combustion engines



March 29, 193s. A. J. LOEBS 2,112,602

AIR INJECTOR FOR INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINES Filed Aug. 50, 1955 l l l Patented Mar. 29, 1938 AIR.

INJEOTOR FOR INTERNAL COMBUS- TIoN ENGINES Albert J. Loebs, Long Island City, N. Y. Application August so, 1935, serial Nu. 38,501

5 Claims.

The invention herein disclosed relates to an air injector for internal combustion engines and in particular to a device which maybe termed an auxiliary carburetor for admitting additional air to the intake manifold of an internal combustion engine.

The ideal mixture of gasoline and air for internal combustion engines varies with the conditions of operation of the engine. Normally, the carburetors utilized have a set ratio in the mixture of gasoline and air. And, it is an object of this invention to provide anauxiliary device by means of which additional air is injected into the manifold of an internal combustion engine during those conditions of operation in which the ratio of air to gasoline maybe increasedbeyond that provided by the carburetor.

In accordance with the invention, there is provided a case which has an air inlet and an air exhaust opening. The exhaust opening is adapted to be connected to the intake manifold of an internal combustion engine and its communication with the intake opening is controlled by a valve. The operation of the valve is in turn controlled by the reduction in pressure of the intake manifold of the internal combustion engine such that under certain conditions of operation of the internal combustion engine, the intake and exhaust ports of the device are placed into communication. The valve is continually urged to- Wards a position, with reference to its inoperative position, to place the intake and exhaust ports of the device in communication and thus admit air to the intake manifold of the engine. Movement of the valve in this direction is resisted by a force greater than that urging the valve to the open position. The resistance offered the valve in its movement is increased or decreased in accordance with the reduction in pressure in the intake manifold of the internal combustion engine to which it is attached. 'Such a device is illustrated in the accompanying drawing in which:

Fig. 1 is a plan View thereof illustrating its connection to the intake manifold of an internal combustion engine;

Fig. 2 is a longitudinal, sectional Velevation thereof; and

Fig. 3 is a central, sectional, side elevation thereof. v

The device illustrated in the drawing includes a casing l having a longitudinal bore la forming a valve chamber and extending partly through the case. A bore of larger diameter Ib forms a continuation of the valve' chamber la, Athe bores la and Ib extending the entire length of the case. An air chamber Ic is formed in the case in an extension i d extending from the top of the case and formed integral with the case. The air chamber lc is closed by a cover 2 secured to the T5 case by bolts 3 and 4. 'I'he cover 2 includes a central rib 2a so thatthe flange 2b of the'cover is spaced from the case to permit the free passage of air from the outside to the chamber lc. The chamber lc communicates with the valve chamber la' through a passage le which forms the air inlet port to the valve chamber. An air exhaust port If is spaced 90 from the air inlet port le and communicates withv a passage lg extending through a vlateral extension lh of the case. The lateral extension lh has a threaded end portion which is screwed into an opening in the manifold 3 of an internal combustion engine. One end of the valve chamber is closed by the endtof the casing and the outside end of the piston chamber 20 lb is closed by a cap 4a having an extension threaded into the end of the case. Adjacent'this cap there is a port Ii which communicates with an internally threaded passage in which there'is received one end of an ordinary needle valve 5. 25 The needle valve has an extension 5a which is connected by means of a tube 6 to the intake manifold 3 of the internal combustion engine and the needle valve controls communication between the intake manifold and the port li. The needle valve is provided for the purpose of regulating the reduction of pressure in the port Iz' and consequently the piston chamber Ib.

Within the valve chamber la there is a piston valve l which has a reduced central portion 'la through which the ports le and If may be placed in communication so that air may pass from the atmosphere toI the intake manifold of the internal combustion engine. Behind the valve, there is a spring 8 one end of which extends into the valve and abuts against the end of a recess in the valve and the other end of which is received on the end of a set screw 9 threaded into an opening in the end wall of the valve chamber. 'I'he spring 8 thus tends to urge the valve to the left as seen in Figure 2. In Figure 2 the valve'is shown in the position it occupies when the internal combustion engine to which the device is attached is not operating. It will thus be noted that'the spring 8 tends to move the valve towards a position to place the ports le and l f into communication with reference to its inoperative po sition. The set screw 9 is provided for adjusting the force with which the springt acts upon the valve.

threads in the cap 4a and has a square opening through the center thereof through which ex.v

tends a squared pin I3. The pin I3 includes a circular end portion I4 which is rotatably mounted in an opening in the end of the cap. The end of this threaded portionis grooved to receive a screw-driver and a lock-nut I5 secures the pin I3 against rotation. The force or tension of the spring II may be adjusted by loosening the lock-nut I5 and turning the pin I3. Rotation of the pin I3 causes the bushing vI2 to rotate and be advanced or withdrawn along the internal threads of the cap 4a thus contracting or permitting the spring II to expand and adjusting the force exerted by the spring on the piston IU.

'Ihe port Iz' is behind the piston IIJ so that a reduction in pressure in this port causes a reduction in pressure in the piston chamber Ib and tends to withdraw the piston Ill against the action of the spring II. When suction in the manifold of the internal combustion engine is such that the reduction in pressure in the piston chamber Ib is suicient, the piston I0 is withdrawn against the action ofthe spring I I. Normally, the piston valve 1 follows the action of the piston I0. However, for the purpose of retarding movement of the piston valve 'I when the engine is being started or While it is idling, there is provided a port I g' which communicates through a passage Ik with the passage Ig. Thus suction in the exhaust manifold causes a reduction in pressure in the passage Ig, the passage Ik and the port Iy'. A passage Il through the piston valve 'I places the port If into communication with the chamber formed behind the piston valve and consequently causes a reduction in pressure in this chamber when there is a reduction in pressure in the passage I g. This reduction in pressure is sufficient to overcome the action of the spring 8 when the motor is being started or when it is idling. When the motor is speeded up or the. throttle opened and the reduction in pressure caused by the suction in the manifold is decreased, the spring 8 causes the valve 'I to follow the piston I0 and opens a port Im which is connected through a passage In with the air inlet passage Ie. 'Ihe chamber behind the piston valve is thus opened to: the atmosphere and it is maintained against the piston I0 by the spring 8 and follows the movement of the piston I0. To prevent the piston II) from becoming air-bound, there is provided a passage Io which communicates with the air chamber Ic.

vFrom the above it will be seen that when the device is connected to an internal combustion engine in the manner described the valve 'I will close communication between the air inlet and air exhaust ports of the auxiliary carburetor. This condition will exist while the suction in the intake manifold remains at a particular value. When the suction varies, the piston I0 will be moved and the valve 'I will be caused to follow the piston I0 so that when the engine is running at normal speeds air will be admitted to the intake manifold through the auxiliary carburetor. If the suction becomes abnormal the piston Valve 'I will pass beyond the point in which it opens communication between the inlet and exhaust ports and close these ports. Likewise when the throttle is opened wide the suction in the manifold decreases and the spring II overcomes the reduction in pressure in the piston chamber Ib and causes the piston Ill to move the valve 'I to a closed position. The needle valve V5 and the tension of the spring II may be regulated to procure the best operating results.

In the lateral extension Ih which contains the passage Ig, there is a petcock I6 by means of which the passage Ig can be closed and thus the auxiliary carburetor put out of operation. Extending through the center of this petcock there is a set screw I'I. 'Ihe set screw I1 is capable of extending into the passage Ig and is provided for the purpose of adjusting the size of that passage so that the device may be adjusted to various sized internal combustion engines. A

spring I8 surrounding the set screw and abutting against the head thereof and the casing maintains the set screw in a position in which it is set.

The extension Ih is tapped at I9 which tap is normally closed by a plug 20 and which is provided for the purpose of connecting auxiliary devices operated from the intake manifold such as wind-shield wipers and the like.

It will be obvious that various changes may be made by those skilled in the art in the details of the embodiment of the invention illustrated in the drawing and described in detail above within the principle and scope of the a10- pended claims.

I claim: Y

1. In an auxiliary air regulator for an internal combustion engine, a casing forming a chamber and having an inlet and an exhaust port, the exhaust port being adapted to be connected to the intake manifold of an internal combustion engine, a valve Within the chamber for controlling communication between the inlet and exhaust ports, a piston secured to the valve, means urging the valve towards a position to open communication between the inlet and exhaust ports, means acting to restrain movement of the valve under the action of said rst mentioned means, a second piston within the chamber operative to relieve the valve of the action of said restraining means upon a reduction in pressure in the chamber behind the said second piston, and the casing having a port behind the said second mentioned piston adapted to be connected to the intake manifold of an internal combustion engine, and a port communieating with the chamber behind the piston connected to the valve and connected to the exhaust port of the casing.

2. In an auxiliary air regulator for an internal combustion engine, a casing forming a chamber and having an inlet and an exhaust port, the exhaust port being adapted to be connected to the intake manifold of an internal combustion engine, a valve Within the chamber for controlling communication between the inlet and exhaust ports, a piston secured to the valve, means urging the valve. towards a position. to open communication between the inlet and exhaust ports, means acting to restrain movement of the valve under the action of said i'lrst mentioned means, a second piston within the chamber operative to relieve the valve of the action of said restraining means upon a reduction in pressure in the chamber behind the said second piston, and the casing having a port behind the said second mentioned piston adapted to be connected to the intake manifold of an internal combustion engine, a port communicating with the chamber behind the piston connected to the valve and communicating with the exhuast port and another port covered by the piston secured to the valve in the normal closed position of the valve, said latter port communicating with the inlet.

3. In an auxiliary air regulator for an internal combustion engine, a casing forming a chamber and having an inlet and exhaust port, the exhaust port being adapted to be connected to the intake manifold of an internal combustion engine, a piston valve within the.` chamber for controlling communication between the inlet and exhaust ports, a spring urging the piston valve in a direction from its normal inoperative position to open communication between the inlet and exhaust ports, a piston normally abutting against the piston valve, and a spring acting upon the piston to resist movement of the Valve under the force of said first mentioned spring, the casing having a port for connecting the portion of the chamber behind said piston to the intake manifold of an internal combustion engine, a port for connecting the portion of the chamber behind said piston valve to the exhaust port of the casing, and a port controlled by the piston valve for opening the portion of the chamber behind said piston valve to the. atmosphere. v

4. In an auxiliary air regulator for an internal combustion engine, a casing forming a chamber and having an inlet and exhaust port, the exhaust port being adapted to be connected to the intake manifold of an internal combustion engine, means for adjusting the size of the exhaust port, a piston valve Within the chamber for controlling communication between the inlet and exhaust ports,

a spring urging the piston valve in a direction from its normal inoperative position to open communication between the inlet and exhaust ports, a piston normally abutting against the piston valve, and a spring acting upon the piston to resist movement of the valve under the force of said iirst mentioned spring, the casing having a port for connecting the portion of the chamber behind said piston to the intake manifold of an internal combustion engine, a port for connecting the portion of the chamber behind said piston valve to the exhaust port of the) casing, and a port controlled by the piston valve for opening the portion of the chamber behind said piston valve to the atmosphere.

5. In an auxiliary air regulator for an internal combustion engine, a casing forming a chamber and having an inlet and exhaust port, the exhaust port being adapted to be connected to the intake manifold of an internal combustion engine, means for adjusting the size of the exhaust port, a piston valve within the chamber for controlling communication between the inlet and exhaust ports, a spring urging the piston valve in a direction from its normal inoperative position to open communication between the inlet and exhaust ports, a piston normally abutting against the piston valve, and a spring acting upon the piston to resist movement of the Valve under the force of said first mentioned spring, the casing having a port for connecting the portion of the chamber behind said piston to the intake manifold of an internal combustion engine, a port for connecting the portion of the chamber behind said piston valve to the exhaust port of the casing, and a port controlled by the piston valve for opening the portion of the chamber behind said piston valve to the atmosphere, and means for regulating the passage of air through the port communicating with the chamber behind said piston.

ALBERT J. LOEBS. 

